Magical Resistance: Witches Plan to Cast Midnight Spell To “Bind” Trump

Because the political climate isn’t strange enough already, this is happening…

Witches around the world are planning a mass ritual “binding spell” against Trump and “all those who abet him” in what is possibly the most bizarre protest against the president so far (but hey, it’s still early!).

You might be wondering exactly what the heck a “binding spell” is (I sure was).

Michael M. Hughes, who writes about the paranormal, explains the spell on ExtraNewsfeed:

Binding spells, or defixiones, are some of the oldest in the historical record, and are nearly universal in the world’s magical systems. In this document, binding, which seeks to restrain someone from doing harm, is differentiated from cursing or hexing, which is meant to inflict harm on the target(s). It is understood, in this context, that binding does not generate the potential negative blowback from cursing/hexing/crossing, nor does it harm the caster’s karma.

In other words, this is not the equivalent of magically punching a Nazi; rather, it is ripping the bullhorn from his hands, smashing his phone so he can’t tweet, tying him up, and throwing him in a dark basement where he can’t hurt anyone.

“This I consider to be primarily a self-defense measure,” Hughes told the Daily News. “So many of us are just overwhelmed with the assaults on civil liberties, immigrants, the environment … this felt like a way to reclaim our power and say, ‘We have power over you. You don’t have power over us.'”

Hughes also talked to The Huffington Post about the spell. “It’s a restraint, not harm. I see it as self-defense,” he said.

He added that the spell has a satirical element, but insists that “doesn’t invalidate it.” “If people feel more empowered and less beaten down, that’s valid,” he said.

“I’m OK with people calling it a stunt. The spell can still be effective. I think it’s already working. Some Christian groups are calling for a day of prayer to counteract the spell. That’s magic, right there. When people do a ritual, that’s changing consciousness.”

According to the organizers, the “spell” is scheduled to be performed at the stroke of midnight EST on Friday February 24, and again on waning crescent moon ritual days until Trump leaves office. Mark your calendars, if you are so inclined: the next few dates include March 26, April 24, May 23, and June 21.

From ExtraNewsfeed:

To be performed at midnight on every waning crescent moon until he is removed from office. The first ritual takes place Friday evening, February 24th, at the stroke of midnight. This binding spell is open source, and may be modified to fit your preferred spiritual practice or magical system — the critical elements are the simultaneity of the working (midnight, EST—DC, Mar-a-Lago, and Trump Tower NYC time) and the mass energy of participants.

The list of items needed to cast the spell include an “unflattering photo of Trump” (they recommend the image below), a Tarot card, a piece of an orange candle (or a piece of a baby carrot), a feather, salt, matches or a lighter, fool’s gold, sulfur, black thread, and a pin or nail.

The hashtags #bindtrump, #magicresistance, and #feb24 are being used to discuss the event, and there’s a Facebook page called Mass Spell to Bind Donald Trump Feb. 24th.

Naturally, people on Twitter have things to say about the ritual:

Used 2 think witchcraft was hooey, but now I’m looking for orange candles and tarot cards on Amazon #DesperateTimes #BindTrump #BindingSpell

— Marcus Peterson (@marcusrpeterson) February 24, 2017

me: i don’t believe in witchcraft
NEWS: witches worldwide are planning to cast a spell on president donald trump
me: pic.twitter.com/As8kvwlde1

— judgmental gay (@judgmentalgay) February 24, 2017

Me: idk man I don’t believe in witchcraft
News: Witches worldwide are planning to cast a spell on Donald Trump
Me: pic.twitter.com/Ktagd0sJfd

— Arturo Castillo (@ErreDos_DeDos) February 23, 2017

News: “Witches worldwide are planning to cast a spell on Donald Trump on February 24th. Here’s how to join them.”
Me: pic.twitter.com/WjeaReiBk8

— Jacob Springfield (@j_springfield44) February 23, 2017

GUYS WITCHES ARE CASTING A SPELL TO BIND TRUMP AND CHRISTIANS ARE PRAYING TO PROTECT HIM GET MY POPCORN pic.twitter.com/QRdrISt9Zz

— Laura Shortridge (@DiscordianKitty) February 23, 2017

We are living in an era of politics where a president was memed into office and now he’s going to be taken out by black magic. #BindTrump

— ? nicole ? (@nicoleeeliz) February 24, 2017

Some are not on board, though:

#bindtrump #magicresistance? – how to give magic a bad name, leech energy from well meaning people – and fail nevertheless. #notmymagic

— The Shaman Marketer (@shamanmarketer) February 24, 2017

Others urged caution:

If u participate in #BindTrump etc 2night U r not invoking God even if u use His name. Very spiritually dangerous. #Pray instead. pic.twitter.com/jx1QugoGQQ

— Sister B (@sisterb24) February 24, 2017

@AlisynGayle @ChunkyTWshngtn @Kitty_Lemiew Love your enemy. Let’s #bindtrump for peace and not war. Love and not hate.

— Jonathon Barbera (@JonathonBarbera) February 24, 2017

Ah, finally – voices of reason:

thanks, but how ’bout a spell to rid the country of neoliberalism.#BindTrump #MagicResistance #Feb24

— william (@LetThereBeWill) February 24, 2017

#bindtrump How about a spell to end all wars, poverty, hunger and diseases, you know, something a little more productive…if you can. SMH.

— Paul Ramirez (@Paul11373) February 24, 2017